20 Years Later, Bob Mackie Reflects On Dressing Cher For Her ...

While it’s near impossible for Mackie to pick a favourite look, there are a few creations that stick out in his memory. “I love her ‘Turn Back Time’ costume, which we call her ‘Swiss cheese’ bodysuit,” says Mackie of a strappy black number. “It’s her very own classic that she has been wearing since the ’70s: black Spandex and mesh with amethyst, jet and smoke-coloured Swarovski crystals – and her trademark thigh-high boots!” Another highlight for Mackie was the showy ensemble he created for “Bang Bang”. “She wears a burgundy-leather revealing costume over a nude body stocking, covered in tribal tattoos,” says Mackie, “and a big feather headdress with over 400 coque feathers.”

Many of these ornate costumes took Mackie many days, if not weeks, to create, but he’s never been deterred by a lengthy design process. “I never think about how long it takes, I just do it,” he says. “That’s my job. But this [tour] in particular took a very long time.” It was clearly worth the effort.